1. Compared to a windsurf board/rig or other similar items, we are very much at risk because we can hit a rock or similar, at the bottom - thus the "small fortune" can get lost or damaged to "uselessness" (I know it is not a correct word, but somehow it makes sense to just say/write it...) before you can blink with your eye...

2. Almost noone has the option to try a foil, before he/she buys one.Because there are few, and those who got one are thinking about above #1 often, so of course not willing to lend out to everyone.AND, even if you could try one, it would be a waste of time - because it is so difficult and takes time to master - so you will not get ANY useful "trial" experiences whatsoever.

These are the reasons why only a few buys a foil IMO, to these prices.

This is why there needs to be a low-cost beginner foil. It amazes me that no-one is addressing this issue. If someone was the entrepreneur type, this seems like it would be easy money.

After contemplating construction material and given the amount of time to build my wood versión.I think that a beginer foil shouldnt. cost 750 dollars full setupSimple Wood skimboard with straps option and a wood foil setup with interchangeble wings low and médium AR front wing.No fancy material just Wood and fiberglass.What do you guys think?completely doable.i Wood pay that. no questions asked.use it and resale wouldnt be a problem.Pedro

It still amazes me that most kiters still think that the materials are important to keeping the costs of production low.

The main factors are actually: Price of labour, hours of labour, mould costs, transport. And then if you add in that a major brand sells though a network the margins for the importer and dealer.

We have been making easy to ride beginner foils since we started and what makes a the foil easy to ride is not that it is cheap, but that it is forgiving and stable.

Getting a production foil made that will have an enduser price of 750 Dollars/Euros, of any decent quality, is impossible. Maybe if you are a small brand selling direct to the customer and are willing to take a loss at the expense of your own hours worked, then sure, but that is not a long term venture.

Gunnar,Sorry my intention was not aimed to push anyones buttons.the amout of time to build a foil that Works for beginner using Wood is not that high!Quality by definitions does not imply that it will last forever.quality is a amount of atributes a product has that satisfies a customers needs and expectation and fits their bills!the fact is that people are open to try anything that they can aford without feeling guilty and dont have a major financial decisión.i guess most of us can relate and do this sport as a hobbie on free time and have families.If your married ,give it a try and tell the wifie your going to Shell out 4000+ on your creditcard for no good reason and you will be on the dog house for a long time!!! Not to mention the cost of legal fees on divorce for a piece of high quality composite plastic.

Sure this is a niche sport but it doesnt mean you need to sheel out over 2000 dolars for a setup.Funny is to think that a dollarized work is the norm. I work in pesos and pay 50% tax on imports.in Brasil is like 80%How about that for a financial decisión.Any foil will cost me more than 4000 thousand dollars (CIF+ tax.)For that money i better of buying a cnc machine and build them 24/7 out of indistructuble wood.there are Woods like Ipe from Brasil that will outlast 10 generations in wáter and elements. but this is not the point.

Material is no cost at all using local Wood for less than 100 bucks.if i was willing to compete against heikennen i would be happy toshell out the US$ 5000 gear.To end my tantrum ,Gunnar how much does your begginer foil cost?Pedro

Hawaiis,Are you out there?how much have you spent in you diy for your working foil?Can anyones who is doing DIY foil inform how much money and time spent on the Project?i have 500 dolars on tools and building stuff and 29 hours logged on the Project. Pedro

It still amazes me that most kiters still think that the materials are important to keeping the costs of production low.

The main factors are actually: Price of labour, hours of labour, mould costs, transport. And then if you add in that a major brand sells though a network the margins for the importer and dealer.

We have been making easy to ride beginner foils since we started and what makes a the foil easy to ride is not that it is cheap, but that it is forgiving and stable.

Getting a production foil made that will have an enduser price of 750 Dollars/Euros, of any decent quality, is impossible. Maybe if you are a small brand selling direct to the customer and are willing to take a loss at the expense of your own hours worked, then sure, but that is not a long term venture.

--Gunnar

I couldn't disagree more.

Material selection is important to manufacturing process. I don't think a composite can compete with an aluminum extrusion to reduce labor cost.

A simple design with bolt together aluminum extrusions that bolt to a cheap used wakeboard is easy. If sold direct, I don't see why such a bolt-on kit should cost more than $500.

I am not talking about a major brand doing this, with all their big business network inflating cost, but a sole proprietor filling this gap.

Hawaiis,Are you out there?how much have you spent in you diy for your working foil?Can anyones who is doing DIY foil inform how much money and time spent on the Project?i have 500 dolars on tools and building stuff and 29 hours logged on the Project. Pedro

I have probably spent $10,000 on my hydrofoil projects. I bought 4 and built 6, some didn't work. I think a low price one for $800 is possible with labor from a third world country. If I have to pay Obamacare, and build it in Hawaii, the price would be about $2000, mostly labor and government tax.

Last edited by Hawaiis on Tue Dec 31, 2013 5:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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